Lake Wichita Improvements Nearly Complete

Lake Wichita Improvements Nearly Complete

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<P>Lake Wichita is one of the oldest reservoirs in Texas .</P>
<P>And for the past few months, the area along the lake has undergone an improvement project.</P>
<P>Mechell Dixon spoke with city parks and recreation officials about the improvements and joins us now with more.</P>

The improvement project is carrying an $85,000 price tag.

And while three of the projects are finished, work continues on the fourth and final one.

An improvement project at Lake Wichita is nearly complete.

It includes several aspects, one of which allows the public to view wildlife in its natural habitat.

"The bird folks are very happy to see the trail because they can get close and observe the migratory species that come through," says Jack Murphy, director of the Wichita Falls Parks and Recreation Department.

The wildlife observation platform has been in place for two months now but crews say it has not generated many visitors yet.

"I've only seen one man that's actually been out here with binoculars and a camera. And he comes out here every couple of days," explains Mike Jensen with the Wichita Falls Engineering Department.

Another project is along the shoreline where several feet have been lined with gravel to make fishing from the water's edge easier.

And crews are currently construction a floating pier off the dam.

"People love floating docks. They just love to walk out. It's a little bit of a recognition of the old dock that is just a few hundred feet away that was built like in 1904 or 1905. The pilings for that dock are still there," explains Murphy.

And soon a floating dock, similar to this one, will be in place.

But why the improvements here?

"The Park Board, 4-B Board and the city council wanted in a minor way at the moment, to show a minor forward progress with Lake Wichita development for recreational value ... and that's hence, the happening with the $85,000 regional appropriation," says Murphy.

The floating pier is currently being built by a company in Alabama.

It's expected to be shipped to Wichita Falls later this month and open to the public sometime next month.